Last Saturday was one of my biggest feats of my entire life. Its right up there with a half-ironman! I often think back to the day I signed up for that marathon, and think about how crazy it was that Pete and I actually signed up for it. It all started because Pete had a snow day, and we were both bored sitting in his apartment. He somehow found the website for the marathon, and said “Hey lets sign up!” The rest was history.
So Friday evening, Pete and I traveled to Charlottesville to meet up with my family, because my dad was running it as well. We met up at the registration area, and picked up our packets. I have to say, the atmosphere at triathlons and marathons are some of the coolest atmosphere’s I have ever been in! I love it! So anyway, we pick up our packets and head to a fancy Italian restaurant to pack in the carbs for the next day. Not only did we feel highly under dressed, but we also brought a hyperactive 4-year old in with us. Needless to say, it was an interesting dinner! The waitress and owner both handled it well, and it was a very enjoyable dinner.
After dinner, we headed back to the hotel, exchanged some strategy talk which consisted of a little strategy, but my only strategy was to survive. I thought that was a pretty good strategy! After the strategy talk, we headed to bed as 4 A.M. would come quickly, and we wanted to be as rested as possible going in to the race.
Saturday morning arrives, there are nerves in the air, but for some reason I wasn’t nervous at all. I ate breakfast, which consisted of pizza and lots of water and coffee. After we all pig out and are ready, we head out to the course. We got all our stretches in, and headed to the start line. Then we started.
For a couple weeks Pete and I planned on sticking together for about the first half, and then Pete wanted to race the second. My dad, well he was going for gold. But 1 mile in to the course, Pete decided to forget the strategy and told me “See ya, Im going to bomb down these hills!” Not quite to half way, I was on my own for the rest of the day. And let me tell you, I have no idea how I finished aside from prayer and support from family and friends. I hit the 1 mile marker, and my knee hurt so badly, I just about blacked out and hit the pavement. I told God I had no idea how I was going to do 25.2 more miles, but He was gonna have to carry me. And thats just what He did.
God and I talked a lot that day. Most of it was a desperate plea from me for God to take my knee pain away, but along the way, God showed me how marathons related to life. I know people use the analogy all the time, but actually running in one, and experiencing it, it speaks more relevant to you. Let me explain.
A relationship and lifetime serving Christ is not easy. Life is filled with all kinds of pain and obstacles on our way to the finish line. Whenever I experienced the knee pain, God told me, “I am here for your pain. It will come, its one of the few things guaranteed in this marathon, but I will help you through it.”
One of the ways I felt God helping me get through this marathon was my family and some of the greatest friends I have ever had the honor knowing! That picture is me at the half way point of the marathon. Tristan ran out and gave me a big hug, and I was greeted by cheers from my mom, my cousin Drew, and my AMAZING friends! It was just the encouragement I needed, feeling so hurt and limping, trying to compensate for the knee pain. I told Tristan I had to keep going. He asked me, “Why?” I told him, “Cause I need to finish the race.” I put him down and continued running. I got about 500 yards down the road, I saw the “26 mile” painted on the road facing the other direction, as we would make a big loop and come right back this way.
After I saw that, God whispered to me and said, “See, there is a glimpse of the finish, what you are aiming for, and those friends and your family, they represent community in life that makes you stronger and keeps you accountable in your walk with me.”
One of the biggest desires of anyone is to be loved the way they are. I am one of those people, probably worse off than anyone else. I have my flaws, my mistakes, and I long for someone to love me just how I am. We sat in church last night, and I had been really feeling that feeling of wanting to be loved even though I cant do many things well. We started singing a song and the lyrics were “No love is greater, no love is wider.” Tears streamed down my face as I thought back to my marathon, and my knee pain and everything going on with keeping me from feeling comfortable. God again whispered to me, “Just like your knee isn’t perfect, you are not perfect, and you know what? I could care less! I love you despite your imperfections, despite always falling short in life.” I started praying and talking to God again at church and told Him that for the first time in my entire life did I actually believe He loves me no matter what imperfections I might be having. It was one of the most beautiful moments in my life.
Around mile 17, the infamous wall hit. For the first time in the race, I began to walk, and I felt like I wouldnt be able to run anymore. I remember telling myself at one point, just walk the rest of it. I began to break down, but just when I least expected it, a man named Travis runs by me at a good pace, stops, and turns to me and says, “no! you cant walk! Come on, Ill run with you! Keep moving!” I didnt know this man at all, but I started running again. Travis was one of the biggest encouragements during the race for me. He talked to me, kept my mind off the pain, and before I knew it, I was at mile 20. Only six from the finish. For me, Travis represented a lot! I wasnt able to see him again until the finish, because he took off again once he saw that I could keep going. But I saw in Travis someone who was much stronger than me, but willing to hold back and help me along the way. He slowed himself down to help someone not as strong as he was. I only hope I can be like Travis in life. Not only to slow down and help people who are in need, but to realize I am not the strongest person out there. Its a lie I often believe, and it reminds me I need to be humble and realize I am going to need people’s help in getting where God wants me to go.
There was one point in the race, mile 22 and 23, I dont remember a single bit of it. It was kinda like I was running while I was asleep, and I woke up and saw the 24 mile marker. At that point, I was walking, but the adrenaline started pumping and I began a slow jog, something that was slightly faster than a walk. But I just kept going. I caught people who had passed me earlier in the race. They were feeling exhausted, and began walking. Just like Travis had done for me, I slowed and told them they could do it. I didnt think my words would be too much of an encouragement, but this lady, who was also doing her first marathon, began jogging again beside me. I remember her telling me that she hurt incredibly bad, but I told her, I know, but keep going, that she could do it! She said “Yes I can,” and kept going. I hit mile 25 and I told her I would see her at the finish. The last 1.2 miles, I ran probably faster than I had any other part of the race. My calves and hamstrings were cramping and contracting, but I fought it. I could see the finish line, I wasnt going to stop! I picked up my pace even more. I have no idea how, but I picked it up!
I had finally reached the finish, and although I was in so much pain, and exhausted, I felt so good. I saw my family and friends, and was so happy to see them again!
I got my medal for finishing the race, and I dont think I need to explain what God whispered to me when I received that medal! He simply said, “Remember this.” I knew what He meant.
I dont know how He conned a medal, but Tristan walked up to me and said, “Look, we match. I have one too.” I wanted to cry. God spoke to me most of all during this moment. For the first time, it really hit me. All the people I loved were standing around me at the finish line waiting to congratulate me. They were already there… God told me, “The people you love are here with you, what will you do to have the people you love in heaven with you?”
I long to finish this marathon strong! I want to see everyone I love there with me! I long to hear Christ say to me, “Well done, thy good and faithful servant. Well done.”
